It was a day like any other for the group of hikers embarking on a journey in Banff National Park, but it turned out to be a walk they'd never forget. As they made their way down the trail, two grizzly bears—a mama and her cub—decided to tag along.
Banff National Park, known for its pristine beauty and expansive wilderness, is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. On this particular day, our group had the extraordinary privilege of becoming part of a gentle grizzly duo's afternoon saunter. It wasn't just a casual sighting; these bears walked a mere 10-15 meters behind the hikers for a heart-pounding 20 minutes.
Our heroine of the day was Phoebe Nicholson, the hiking guide. With her poised demeanor and expert training, she ensured everyone's safety, advising the group to "keep walking nice and slow." As we recount this encounter, it's essential to understand the unique behavior displayed by the bears. They appeared calm, almost disinterested, merely following the hikers out of what seemed like sheer curiosity. However, a playful dash from the cub, possibly a 'bluff charge,' did send a few jitters among the group.
This 'bluff charge' is a behavior exhibited by bears where they make a brief, swift approach towards a subject, testing its reaction. But thanks to Phoebe's expertise, she recognized the behavior and knew exactly how to respond. She recalled, "From my training, I know that is a normal thing. The best thing to do is, of course, to stay calm and keep a slow, slow pace, so that’s exactly what we did."
Phoebe's exemplary leadership was not just a testament to her training but also a reminder of the wonders of nature when respected and understood. The hikers, despite the initial shock, got to be part of what Phoebe described as a "pretty intense" yet "pretty amazing experience."
Nick de Ruyter, the WildSmart program director at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley in Canmore, shared that such encounters aren't uncommon. It's an interesting tidbit for our wildlife aficionados: bears often use hiking trails for the same reasons we do—it's simply easier than navigating through dense underbrush.
Though the experience was exhilarating, it ended on a sigh of relief. The bears eventually veered off in a different direction, allowing the group to process the magnitude of their experience. To commemorate this unique encounter, a few hikers captured video footage of the grizzlies casually trailing behind them—a clip that will surely become the stuff of legends among their peers.
Let the world see the beauty and harmony of wildlife coexisting with us, even if for just a 20-minute walk.
